Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and creamy cheddar blend with penne pasta for a warm, comforting one-pot meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Protein

01 - 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 cans (298 g each) cream of chicken soup
03 - 120 ml chicken broth

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1.5 cups (approx. 70 g) sliced mushrooms
05 - 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced (approx. 100 g)
06 - 0.5 teaspoon dried tarragon
07 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Dairy

08 - 240 g sour cream
09 - 225 g shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Pasta

10 - 450 g penne pasta

# Steps:

01 - In the slow cooker, mix the two cans of cream of chicken soup with 120 ml chicken broth until smooth and uniform.
02 - Stir in dried tarragon and ground black pepper, followed by sliced mushrooms and diced sweet onion. Place chicken breasts into the mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged.
03 - Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours without opening the lid to allow the chicken to become tender and infused with flavors.
04 - Prepare penne pasta on the stove according to package instructions until al dente, then drain well.
05 - Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker until tender and evenly pulled apart.
06 - Mix in sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the slow cooker until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
07 - Add the drained penne pasta to the slow cooker and stir to coat uniformly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover, and cook on low for an additional 20 minutes to melt the cheese.
08 - Once cheese has fully melted and the dish is heated through, serve hot. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs for presentation.

# Notes:

01 - For deeper flavor, sauté onions and mushrooms in olive oil before adding. Cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or mozzarella can substitute cheddar. Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance taste.
02 - Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months. Reheat with added broth or milk to loosen sauce if needed.

Go Back